Annealing
Step 4 of 10 · Reset neck tension so every case grips the bullet the same way.
Every time a case is fired and resized, the brass in the neck and shoulder work-hardens. Hardened necks grip bullets inconsistently, which shows up as velocity spread, and they eventually split.
Annealing heats the neck and shoulder just enough to restore the brass to a consistent state. It is done before resizing. The two main approaches are flame (torch) annealing and induction annealing. Induction machines offer very repeatable results, and flame annealers are a popular entry point.
The goal is consistency, not maximum softness. Never heat the case head, which must stay hard to contain pressure. Follow the manufacturer's guidance for your machine and calibrate it to your brass.
← Step 3: Cleaning | Step 5: Resizing →
Step